It never happened during the entire Cold War. But all these years later, Russia's border with NATO is about to double in size. Finland remains unmoved by threats out of the Kremlin over its bid to join the US-led alliance. The same goes for neighbouring Sweden, which is so concerned by Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine that it is ready to call time on two centuries of neutrality.
Is it a miserable own goal by Putin, or further fodder for the "us versus them" siege mentality that's the cornerstone of a Russian propaganda machine gone full throttle? How will the Russian leader react and will public opinion continue to follow him? At a time when neither side seems willing to negotiate, should the West double down or offer Putin an exit ramp?
Ukraine's president has criticised his French counterpart for evoking dialogue with Moscow at a time when momentum seems to swinging against Russia. We ask about Emmanuel Macron's motives and how the likes of France should feel about the rejuvenation of a NATO alliance that Macron not too long ago described as "brain dead".
Produced by Charles Wente, Elise Marné and Imen Mellaz.
